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Driver reaching for bag hits, kills woman walking her dog on Deltona sidewalk, deputies say

Man struck Eileen and Robert Flaherty after driving onto sidewalk, according to sheriff’s office

Lines painted on the center of a road. (Pexels)

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Deltona woman was killed and a man was injured Sunday while walking their dog when a driver struck them on the sidewalk, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies said the crash happened around 12:40 p.m. in the 1100 block of East Normandy Blvd. According to investigators, a 67-year-old Deltona man driving a BMW convertible became distracted by a bag that fell between his legs.

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When he reached down to pick it up, deputies said he swerved across the center line into the opposite lane and onto the sidewalk, striking Eileen and Robert Flaherty, 68 and 55. The sheriff’s office initially said Eileen Flaherty was 63 years old before correcting her age to 68.

Deputies said the two were siblings. Eileen Flaherty was pronounced dead at the scene and Robert Flaherty was taken to a hospital in stable condition, according to deputies.

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Deputies said a passenger in the car was also taken to a hospital with minor injuries, but the driver and the dog were not injured.

According to the sheriff’s office, the driver was not impaired.

Charges are pending. This is an ongoing investigation.

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